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Training
of Helpline workers to include specialist HIV counselling skills
for working with children
by
Elizabeth Robb, Childline - Zimbabwe
November 08, 2001
Childline – Zimbabwe has from its inception
been acutely aware of the need to adapt to the changing situation
in Zimbabwe and to respond to these changing needs.
The organisation has a unique insight
to children’s problems as seen through their own eyes, and analysis
of the contacts made via the freepost, freephone and drop-in facility,
reveals some interesting but worrying trends.
Although cases of child abuse in all
its many forms constitutes approximately 25% of letters, calls and
‘drop – ins’ received by Childline, there is an increasing underlying
trend towards HIV/Aids related concerns.
Unicef reports that about 98% of the
Zimbabwean population have some knowledge of the HIV virus, but
that there has been little discernable behavioural change accompanying
that knowledge. It also appears from Childline’s contacts with children
that their depth of knowledge and understanding of HIV is very limited.
Much has been written in the media
about the subject of the virus, but to date, little of this information
has been directed towards children.
Childline has therefore decided that
in order to better serve the community that activities in this field
should be scaled up to reflect the current situation in Zimbabwe.
Training of Helpline workers will begin
shortly in the specialist HIV counselling skills needed for working
with children, and new publicity material is being produced, which
will reflect the increased outreach focus of Childline.
Childline will however, continue to
maintain the core Helpline which provides a free, confidential,
multilingual service available to all children whatever their problems
or concerns.
It is planned that the official launch
will take place on the 1st January 2002.
Childline believes that a scaled up
service, providing information, counselling services and hands on
assistance when possible and requested, on HIV and its implications,
is well placed through its existing structure to contribute to combating
the HIV/Aids pandemic in Zimbabwe.
For More
Information Please Contact
Liz Robb - Director, Childline - Zimbabwe
60 Livingstone Ave, Harare, Zimbabwe
P.O. Box CY 1101, Causeway, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263-(0)4-704703, 793715, 252000
Fax: +263-(0)4-252000, 704703
Visit the Childline
fact sheet
Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.
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